KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — NASA plans to give an update on the Artemis moon mission on Thursday, ahead of the rocket’s rollout to the launch pad.
What You Need To Know
- The teleconference will be at noon on Thursday
- NASA officials will give a status update of the Artemis I mission
- Artemis I is scheduled to launch on Monday, Nov.
- Artemis has been having a hard time getting off the ground
NASA will be hosting a teleconference at noon on Thursday to discuss the status of the Artemis I uncrewed flight test, which is scheduled for 12:07 a.m. EST, Monday, Nov. 14.
The Artemis I mission has been having a hard time getting off the ground and of the three of those attempts, liquid hydrogen leaks have been the main cause.
Many space enthusiasts are wondering what type of updates will be given by the participants of Thursday’s status update:
- Jim Free, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Cliff Lanham, senior vehicle operations manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program, Kennedy
Getting off the ground
NASA has not been three times lucky as engineers have worked hard to send the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion capsule off to the great beyond.
The first launch attempt was on Monday, Aug. 29, but a liquid hydrogen leak and engine temperature issues forced engineers to postpone the liftoff.
After those issues were resolved, the second attempt on Saturday, Sept. 3, was scrubbed after a different liquid hydrogen leak happened.
Engineers at NASA replaced two seals and later did a cryogenic demonstration test to see if the replacements to the fuel lines that go from the mobile launcher to the rocket were functioning.
However, another liquid hydrogen leak was discovered, but NASA called the test a success since all the objectives were met and engineers were able to manage the leak and fill up the liquid hydrogen side of the rocket.
NASA officials tried for a third attempt on Tuesday, Sept. 27, but Hurricane Ian forced their hands to roll both the rocket and the spacecraft from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Ian hit the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, Sept. 29.
Since being in the Vehicle Assembly Building, engineers have performed minor repairs, maintenance and replacements of various components and equipment to the duo, NASA stated.
The Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft are seen on the mobile launcher as they were being shipped back to the Vehicle Assembly Building before Hurricane Ian hit. They will make a reverse journey back to Launch Pad 39B on Friday, Nov. 4, stated NASA. (NASA)
Going back to the pad
On Friday, Nov. 4, NASA plans to roll the rocket and spacecraft back to their temporary home on Launch Pad 39B, starting at 12:01 a.m. EST. The slow crawl back will take between six to 12 hours to make the 4-mile journey.
The Artemis program has three missions: Artemis I, Artemis II and Artemis III.
Artemis I is an uncrewed test flight that is designed to provide NASA with information that will be utilized for the two later missions. Currently, Artemis II is scheduled for 2024 (when astronauts will orbit the moon) and Artemis III is set for 2025, which will see the return to humans on the moon.
